Senior GNC Engineer

Role Overview

This role supports the development, integration, and testing of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems for next-generation lunar spacecraft supporting the Lunar Data Network (LDN). The position focuses on real-time flight software development, navigation sensor integration, simulation, performance analysis, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing for spacecraft that will provide navigation and communications services to lunar missions.

Working as part of a collaborative engineering team, this individual will contribute across the GNC development lifecycle, supporting software development, sensor integration, system testing, flight control analysis, and mission performance verification. The role partners closely with software, hardware, avionics, and systems engineering teams to ensure reliable spacecraft navigation, stability, and operational performance in support of lunar exploration initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, and testing of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system for Lunar Data Network spacecraft.
• Develop, test, and peer review real-time GNC flight software using C and C++.
• Execute and analyze 6-DOF simulations to evaluate spacecraft performance and mission objectives.
• Support integration and testing of navigation sensors and effector systems through Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) environments.
• Assist with real-time flight software integration, validation, and performance testing.
• Support selection, assessment, and integration of GNC sensors including IMUs, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and Optical Navigation (OpNav) systems.
• Perform flight control analysis and evaluate vehicle performance, stability, and navigation accuracy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional software, hardware, systems, and avionics engineering teams throughout development and testing activities.
• Document engineering analyses, test results, and software development activities.
• Participate in technical reviews, design reviews, and engineering assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical discipline required.
• 2-7 years of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) engineering experience.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Skills

• Experience developing and implementing Kalman Filters for navigation and state estimation applications.
• Experience with real-time software development and embedded systems.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Python.
• Knowledge of spacecraft dynamics, attitude control, and orbital mechanics.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and/or Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing environments.
• Familiarity with GNC hardware including IMUs, Star Trackers, GPS, LIDAR, and Optical Navigation systems.
• Experience supporting flight control analysis and evaluating spacecraft performance and stability.
• Understanding of navigation sensor testing, planning, modeling, and integration activities.
• Experience working within Agile development environments and utilizing JIRA.
• Familiarity with Git version control systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Experience

• Hands-on experience with navigation sensor hardware integration and testing.
• Experience performing Monte Carlo analysis and mission performance assessments.
• Background in spacecraft or satellite Guidance, Navigation, and Control system development.
• Experience supporting lunar, orbital, or deep-space mission programs.
• Familiarity with relative navigation, image processing, feature detection, or optical navigation techniques.
• Experience with VxWorks or other real-time operating systems.
• Experience supporting spacecraft flight software development and validation activities.
• Prior experience working with satellite systems, navigation payloads, or space communications platforms.